A variety of causes exist for general arm pain including joint injuries and compressed nerves, according to Mayo Clinic. Many cases of arm pain are caused by problems in the neck or upper spine.
Burning pain in an arm can mean brachial plexopathy or complex regional pain syndrome, MedlinePlus reports. Brachial plexopathy is caused by damage to the brachial plexus, an area on both sides of the neck connected to nerves, and is characterized by weakness, pain and numbness. It can be caused by direct injury, stretching injuries, pressure from tumors or damage from radiation therapy. CRPS, on the other hand, has three stages of symptoms that start with a severe burning and aching pain that worsens with the slightest touch. Doctors are not sure what causes the disorder, but it is thought to result from damage to the nervous system.
Arm pain in general can be a symptom of many disorders including angina and rheumatoid arthritis, notes Mayo Clinic. Angina is usually accompanied by other symptoms, including chest pain, nausea and fatigue. It is caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, which is usually due to coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by warm and swollen joints, morning stiffness, firm bumps of tissue under the skin, and fatigue. It is caused by the immune system attacking the lining of the membranes that surround the joints, which can be due to a genetic factor.
